It all depends on what you’re trying to address.

There are actually three types of chemical peels – superficial, medium, and deep – and they are used to reduce common imperfections in the skin.

Meanwhile, the HydraFacial is a patented multi-step medical-grade resurfacing treatment.

Interestingly enough, one of those steps is actually an extremely mild peel. So in a way, the two procedures are related.

But when it comes down to deciding whether a HydraFacial or a chemical peel will be right for you, it helps to understand the differences between the two.

The Hydrafacial Procedure

The HydraFacial is an extremely effective way to clean and clear out your pores. But it also hydrates the skin.

The first order of business with the HydraFacial treatment is to cleanse the skin by removing the dead skin cells and excess sebum from the skin.

Next comes a very mild peel. A mix of salicylic and glycolic acids are applied to the skin to break up any oil or dirt that’s clogging your pores without causing the skin to peel.

Finally, a pen-like device called the HydraPeel Tip basically vacuums out blackheads, dirt, oil, and impurities. Meanwhile, hydrating serums are simultaneously applied to plump and nourish the skin.

How It Differs from Microdermabrasion

Perhaps you’ve heard of microdermabrasion.

It’s a very effective procedure that uses micro-crystals to exfoliate the skin. But the crystals can be irritating for those who are prone to acne or have sensitive skin.

By contrast, HydraFacial uses water as the exfoliating medium. So it’s essentially like a facial and microdermabrasion all in one.

Plus, you can discuss with your skincare professional ways to incorporate add-ons or boosters to customize your HydraFacial.

Recovery from HydraFacial

HydraFacial has minimal side effects.

Beyond a little redness immediately following the treatment, there is almost no downtime.

You just need to allow your skin to rest for a day so that you can absorb all of the benefits of the facial. Then the next day, you can pop out of bed, put on your makeup, and return to your everyday activities.

So Should You Get a HydraFacial or a Chemical Peel?

The HydraFacial is wonderful for cleaning, resurfacing, and hydrating your skin.

But if you’re looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and under the eyes, or you want to remove spotting from sun damage, aging, or genetics, the chemical peel is a better option.

It can even treat certain types of acne.

With a chemical peel, a solution is applied to your entire face that causes the surface layer of the skin to blister and peel off. This prompts your body to generate more collagen which results in a new layer of healthier skin that’s clear of blemishes.

A superficial peel only penetrates the outermost layer of skin.

A medium peel uses stronger chemicals to reach the outer and middle layers of skin to remove damaged skin cells.

And finally, a deep peel fully penetrates the middle layer to ensure the removal of deeply damaged skin cells.

Recovery after a Chemical Peel

The recovery time for a chemical peel will depend on which type you have.

Superficial peels require one to seven days to heal. Lotion or cream can be applied during healing and makeup can usually be worn the next day.

Medium peels require a longer recovery time. They typically take 1-2 weeks to heal – with swelling worsening for the first 48 hours. Ointment needs to be applied and sun exposure is prohibited until healing is complete.

Finally, a deep peel requires 2-3 weeks to heal and the treated area will be bandaged. Skin will require soaking, ointment, and thick moisturizers as healing continues. Sun exposure should be avoided for 3-6 months.

Bring New Life Back into Your Face!

To determine whether you’re better suited for a HydraFacial or chemical peel, contact us today for a free consultation.

Once you discuss all your options with one of our skincare professionals, you’ll be ready to take the next step toward glowing and younger-looking skin.

Don’t hesitate!

Are you growing weary of the lines and wrinkles on your face? Does it seem like new ones show up every day?

Some people will tell you that those smile lines just prove that you smile a lot. Or that your crow’s feet lend a more distinctive look.

But you know the truth. And it makes no difference anyhow if you’re not satisfied with how your face is aging.

If you’re not yet ready to commit to going under the knife for a facelift, you do have non-surgical options with BOTOX® or JUVÉDERM®.

And they’re incredibly effective.

We’ll take a look at the many options available through these procedures.

The Magic of BOTOX®

First, we need to clarify something about wrinkles.

To you, a wrinkle is probably a wrinkle. They’re all the same and you don’t want any of them.

But there are actually two kinds of wrinkles. Static and dynamic.

Static wrinkles are the lines and folds that are always there on your face. Dynamic wrinkles, on the other hand, occur when you use your muscles to form facial expressions.

Prime examples of dynamic wrinkles are the lines in the forehead and around the brow, as well as crow’s feet around the eyes.

BOTOX® is used specifically to smooth out dynamic wrinkles only. But how does it work?

BOTOX® is a prescription medication that, once injected, blocks signals from your nerves to your muscles. This keeps the targeted muscles from contracting; the very action that produces fine lines and wrinkles.

When the muscles relax, you’re left with a a smooth and wrinkle-free appearance.

Because of the presence of Botulinum toxin in this medication, the question plastic surgeons are most often asked is, “how safe is BOTOX®?”

The quick answer is “completely.”

BOTOX® has been used for almost thirty years now. During that time, there has never been a recorded instance of botulism or paralysis from BOTOX®. And the FDA considers BOTOX® to be a safe, effective way to reduce wrinkles and smooth out fine lines.

It is also a very simple procedure.

After the BOTOX® injections, there is little to no downtime. Although patients should avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day, they are able to return to their everyday life as soon as they feel comfortable.

Why Use JUVÉDERM®?

And after years of living, laughing, eating, yawning, talking, etc., lines and wrinkles become etched into the areas around the nose and mouth. These are static wrinkles.

Smile lines develop and the skin around the nose and mouth (known medically as nasolabial folds) begin to sag.These static wrinkles and folds can easily add years to your appearance.

JUVÉDERM® works to fill the lines and firm up the folds in this parenthesis area around your nose and mouth.

Treatment with JUVÉDERM® is quick – lasting only about 15 minutes. Using a very fine needle, your plastic surgeon injects JUVÉDERM® into the area being treated. And since it includes the anesthetic lidocaine, there is little to no discomfort during injections.

Patients see results immediately, though there might be some swelling. Once that subsides, results continue to improve.

There is minimal to no downtime associated with JUVÉDERM®. In fact, most patients are able to return to work right after treatment. To ensure optimal results, however, patients are advised to protect their skin from the sun for 10 days.

It’s a small price to pay for a more youthful appearance.

What Is JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC?

With some areas of the face, the issue isn’t always wrinkles.

The actual structure and volume of your face becomes less as you age. That’s why JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC was developed.

This filler uses hyaluronic acid (HA) to replenish missing volume – particularly in the upper cheek area, also known as the hollow, the apple, or the apex.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that’s produced by your body. Large amounts of it are found in your skin where its function is to retain water to keep your skin well lubricated and moist.

As you age, your body makes less of this substance. This particular injection serves to replenish the HA and restore a firmer appearance around the mid-face, or any other area that needs volume restored.

During the procedure, JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC is injected into the predetermined treatment areas. This may result in mild redness and swelling near the injection sites that will disappear within a few days.

Results will continue to improve over the course of the next several weeks.

The Purpose of JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA®

As the years pass, it’s not unusual to lose volume in your lips as well. But the skin in this area, as well as around the eyelids, is much more delicate than other areas of the face. Static lines that show up in these areas require a gentler approach.

In these instances, your plastic surgeon or skin care specialist might recommend JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA®.

Also made up of HA, the particles in JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® are smaller than those in JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA® XC so that they can effectively treat finer lines and more delicate areas where the skin is thinner.

As with the other two JUVÉDERM® treatments, injection is done with a thin needle and patients can expect to experience minimal to no discomfort during the procedure.

There may be mild redness, tenderness, or swelling after the procedure which will subside within a couple of weeks. It is also recommended that patients avoid strenuous activity or direct sun exposure to the treatment area for the first 24 hours following treatment.

Patients notice results immediately after the injection. And these only continue to improve over time as any residual swelling subsides.

BOTOX® and JUVÉDERM® Give You a Reason to Smile

Surgical procedures are fantastic for rejuvenating your face.

But non-surgical procedures like BOTOX® and JUVÉDERM® can be just as effective. And without the recovery time.

It all depends on your unique situation.

So contact us today to talk with a board-certified plastic surgeon about which option would be best for you.

It’s almost as good as turning back the hands of time.

The Facts about Breast Augmentation Surgery

Has pregnancy, injury, illness or even just aging left you feeling dissatisfied with the appearance of your breasts?

If so, you may be the perfect candidate for breast augmentation surgery.

Breast augmentation, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgery that places implants to increase fullness and projection of the breasts.

It can be done for reconstructive purposes, such as after an injury or mastectomy for breast cancer, or for cosmetic reasons to enhance self-image and self-confidence.

So what are the facts about breast augmentation surgery? They’re pretty straightforward and simple, really.

We’ll start by taking a look at the implants.

Silicone Implants Vs. Saline Implants

It’s not really a competition.

In fact, there is little to even no discernible difference between the appearance of breasts augmented with silicone implants over those with saline implants.

Both silicone and saline implants involve a silicone shell that is either smooth or textured.

In the case of silicone implants, the shell comes from the manufacturer filled with a pre-determined amount of silicone gel. The implant is then surgically placed.

Many patients claim that silicone implants feel the most like natural breast tissue.

By contrast, with a saline implant, the silicone shell is inserted into the body first and then filled with saline to its desired volume by the surgeon.

Even so, both cases require the same size incision.

However, saline has the consistency of water so there is a slightly greater chance of visible rippling or wrinkling with saline implants. This is far less likely to be apparent when the implants are placed under the pectoral muscle or in the dual plane position (under the gland and lower border of the pectoralis major muscle.)

When choosing between silicone and saline implants, each has its own distinct advantages depending on your situation. It’s important you get a thorough examination and then sit down with your surgeon to discuss which option is better for you based on your unique needs.

It should also be noted that because breasts continue to develop in women until they are in their late teens or early 20s, the FDA requires that women be at least 18 years old to get saline implant breast augmentation and at least 22 years of age to receive silicone implants.

Incision Options

If you’re hoping to don a bathing suit or sports bra again, then be sure to find a board-certified surgeon who offers sub-muscular breast implant placement.

This procedure offers the most natural look while greatly minimizing the appearance of obvious implants. Plus, breast implants placed underneath the muscle do not interfere with mammograms.

There are two common types of incisions for breast augmentation: periareolar and inframammary.

Periareolar

 This incision is made along the inferior border of the areola. The surgeon then inserts the implant in the breast pocket. This method offers excellent scar quality which is difficult to see after it heals at the junction between the pigmented areola and breast.

There is virtually no risk of losing nipple sensation because the nerve to the nipple does not come through the skin. Instead, it travels along the ribcage and through the gland to the nipple. This is important for women who plan to breastfeed in the future.

Inframammary

With this incision, the cut is made along the inframammary fold – which is the crease of skin underneath the breast. There is very little risk of losing nipple sensation with an inframammary incision.

In the case of both incision types, the surgeon can typically reuse the incision in the event of any needed re-operations. And because of its location, the scar is relatively or even completely unnoticeable.

Recovering from Breast Augmentation Surgery

Should you opt for this surgery, it’s reasonable to expect 5-7 days for recovery.

This doesn’t mean you’ll be laid out flat during this time. In fact, patients are encouraged to ambulate the same day or day after the surgery. But rest is important and there should be no heavy lifting or pushing whatsoever.

You will need a follow-up appointment during that time as well so your surgeon can monitor the incision sites to ensure they’re healing correctly.

Implants can last for many years and do not need to be changed unless in the rare event that there is a problem.

Now You Know the Facts about Breast Augmentation

Knowing the facts about breast augmentation will help you when it comes time to find the right surgeon.

Choosing a board-certified surgeon with many years of experience will strongly lessen the likelihood that you’ll have complications down the road.

So if you’re considering breast augmentation, contact us today to work with highly experienced surgeons who are thorough and will listen closely to your desires.

Once you provide us with the necessary information, we will perform a full assessment of your body to help you determine what size and shape implant will best meet all of your needs.

Is your plastic surgeon board certified?

If you haven’t asked that question, it’s crucial that you do.

You may have never stopped to consider whether your general practice physician is board certified. But it’s not really an issue because he or she accepts insurance and is therefore required, by the insurance company, to be credentialed.

But when you seek out a cosmetic procedure like a full facelift, it is typically not covered by insurance. Therefore, the doctor’s credentials aren’t under scrutiny and they are not required to abide by the same rules and standards.

That’s why it’s essential you insist on checking the credentials for your plastic surgeon.

Otherwise, you’re putting your life at risk.

Necessary Credentials for Your Plastic Surgeon

When going outside a traditional health system or hospital, verifying that your doctor is board-certified is an absolutely necessary step.

So if you’re planning to undergo cosmetic plastic surgery, the first step is to find a doctor that is board certified by American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

1. The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) 

The ABPS is one of 24 medical specialty boards that make up the larger and more comprehensive American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).

Recognizing the need to protect the public, these boards work together to ensure that doctors meet specific educational, training, and professional requirements.

In other words, they establish the standards that physicians are required to achieve in order to maintain their board certification.

ABMS and the respective specialty boards are accountable both to the public and the medical profession.

They support physicians by creating programs that assist doctors in their field and improve their practice. And they help patients identify which doctors are certified and what that entails.

Furthermore, they work with healthcare leaders to foster initiatives that monitor and promote the quality of healthcare, while increasing awareness around the importance of board certification.

2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)

In addition to being board certified by ABPS, look for plastic surgeons who are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

As the largest plastic surgery specialty organization in the world, the ASPS is a leading authority on cosmetic plastic surgery and represents 93% of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the U.S.

In a nutshell, the mission of ASPS is to “promote safe, ethical, efficacious plastic surgery to the public by maintaining high standards for the education, examination, certification and continuous certification of plastic surgeons as specialists and subspecialists.”

ASPS and its members make patient safety a top priority. One way they do this is by providing education, advocacy, practice support, and enhanced public awareness of the value of plastic surgery.

Because they demand the highest professional, ethical, and quality standards, ASPS requires that surgery is only performed in accredited, state-licensed or Medicare-certified surgical facilities. That means that the surgeons, other personnel, operating rooms, and equipment must meet stringent national standards.

3. American College of Surgeons (ACS)

Finally, if you’re able to locate a surgeon with the letters FACS after his or her name, then you’ve found the cream of the crop. This means that he or she is a member, a.k.a. “Fellow”, of the American College of Surgeons.

To become a Fellow, surgeons must pass a rigorous evaluation that measures his or her education and training, surgical competence, ethical conduct, and professional qualifications.

Only surgeons that meet the high and exacting standards established and demanded by the College are accepted as members. Thus, the FACS designation is the sign of an esteemed plastic surgeon.

Does Your Plastic Surgeon Have the Right Stuff?

Making the decision to have plastic surgery was likely not one you took lightly.

Choosing the right surgeon is just as important.

Demand the highest credentials for your plastic surgeon. Contact us today to speak with doctors that meet the above credentials.

And be confident that you’re getting only the best healthcare.

Do you find it difficult to keep your abs toned and firmed?

Welcome to the club. For many of us, this a problem area.

And no matter how many sit-ups and crunches you do, it just doesn’t seem to help. Sure, if you could do 20,000 sit-ups it would probably make a difference. But who has the time or energy for that?

It turns out, you do. Because that’s exactly what 30 minutes of Emsculpt can do for you.

You’ll just need to simply lay back and relax.

What Is Emsculpt?

It sounds too good to be true, right?

And you may be thinking, if this Emsculpt is really a thing, then I would have heard about it.

Well, unless you’re really in the know, you may not be aware of it because it’s the newest modality to enter the world of nonsurgical procedures for fat-reduction. That means no needles, no incisions and no anesthesia.

So how does it work?

Emsculpt uses non-invasive high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy to implode fat cells while simultaneously building muscle. It may sound like the stuff of infomercials, but this technology has been cleared by the FDA for the purpose of improving abdominal tone and strengthening the abdominal muscles.

It does so by triggering 20,000 supramaximal muscle contractions in the course of 30 minutes. What this essentially means is that it’s able to affect the muscle in a way that would be impossible for you to do voluntarily.

The main reason those countless crunches and squats at the gym aren’t working is that you’re only activating about 50% of the muscle group you’re working every three to five seconds. But with Emsculpt, you activate 100% of the muscle 20,000 times in 30 minutes.

And all while you’re lying still.

While those coming in for Emsculpt procedures are often focusing on their abs, the device is also commonly used for the buttocks. There are even smaller attachments utilized to target the arms, thighs and calves.

It depends on your “trouble” area.

What to Expect from Emsculpt

Before we go on, it should be noted that Emsculpt is intended to be a supplement to a healthy and active lifestyle. Emsculpt is not meant to replace regular exercise and good eating habits.

In other words, it won’t eliminate a major gut that’s the result of poor lifestyle choices.

That being said, if you decide to try Emsculpt, here is what you can expect from a typical session:

• You will relax back onto the table while a small device is strapped over your abdomen (or whatever other area you’re targeting).
• You’ll be given tips on ways to breathe and relax through the session.
• A trained practitioner will then deliver power to the device – starting at a low level and then working up.
• Your muscles will begin to contract, creating a very intense vibration may feel strange at first. Your feet may also lift off the table with each contraction. (Don’t worry! This is normal.)
• After a few contractions, the machine will switch to a tapping action in order to break down the lactic acid your muscles produce during the contractions.
• At the end of 30 minutes, you’ll be done. And the muscles you worked will likely feel sore the next day – much like they would after an intense workout.

If you work out a lot, you will probably not need as much intensity in the session because the motor neurons in your muscles are already active and don’t require as much power to contract. But you will still see the same results.

Because the target cells in Emsculpt are muscle cells, there is an increase in muscle mass by 16% over four treatments. This creates the desirable side effect of permanent fat cell reduction by 19%.

After your initial session, it’s recommended you complete three more over a two-week period for the best results.

And that’s it. It really is THAT easy.

What Emsculpt Can Do for You

What Emsculpt can do for you will depend on a few factors. That’s why it’s important that you speak with a plastic surgeon trained in Emsculpt.

So contact us today to schedule your free consultation and find out how Emsculpt could work for you.

Then get ready to finally say goodbye to those “problem” areas.